Difference Between Error And Mistake

What Is a Mistake?

A mistake is an action, decision or judgement that produces an unwanted or unintentional result. In other words, a mistake is a wrong because the outcome is found to be wrong. Mistakes are made when a free choice is made and later called ‘’mistake’’ when they score badly in the context of the goal of determining a particular answer or else they simply turn out to be bad choices in some later assessment.

Generally, a mistake is a choice that turns out to be wrong. It could be something you decided to do on your own initiative that you later regret. Someone does not make a mistake because of lack of knowledge or skills, but due to wrong judgment, carelessness or underestimation of the situation.

The incorrect or inappropriate performance of a person can result in a mistake. Though a mistake is an inadvertent or rather a wrongly made choice, it can quickly be noticed and corrected.

The word mistake has a lot of application, but they all have to do with unintended outcome or the wrong thing happening. For example, a mistake in math class will result in the wrong answer, but a mistake with a gun could get someone killed.

What is an Error?

An error an action which is inaccurate or incorrect. In other words, an error is a kind of wrongdoing that is more formal and technical in nature. It could be a miscalculation or wrong judgement due lack of or limited knowledge. An error generally results in failure or in a deviation from the intended performance or behavior.

The word error is generally used when the chosen action is compared to a set of rules. An action is considered to be an error if it negates from the established rules, specific model or codes and consequently giving un-useful results. An error is interesting because it gives you an opportunity to learn something for the first time.

The word error in relation to mistake is used generally and most often in the context of machines and related gadgets. Machines never make mistakes, but rather they make errors. Though when it comes to humans, both words (error and mistake) can be used. For example, a human being can make a behavioral mistake or commit an error in reasoning commonly referred to as fallacies. More importantly, an individual language user’s deviation from standard language norms in grammar, pronunciation and orthography are sometimes referred to as errors. 

Also Read: Difference Between Rules And Regulations

Characteristics of Error

• The word error is generally used when the chosen action is compared to a set of rules. The action is considered to be an error if it different from the rules. 
• An error is something done wrong due to lack of knowledge.
• An error is more formal than a mistake.
• Errors mostly occur due to limited knowledge.
• An error cannot be self-corrected.
• In statistics, error refers to the difference between the value which has been computed and the correct value.

Characteristic of Mistake

• A mistake is a decision that eventually turns out to be wrong.
• A mistake is usually inadvertent and can quickly be noticed and corrected.
• A mistake is not formal because it is performed knowingly or out of free choice.  
• Mistakes occur due to carelessness.
• Mistakes can be self-corrected.

Difference Between Error And Mistake In Tabular Form

Also Read: Difference Between Scanning And Skimming